Lena Mårtensson1, Gunnel Hensing. 1. Social Medicine, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden. lena.i.martensson@gu.se
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Functional, interactive and critical skills to use and act on health information, i.e. health literacy, are central preconditions for decision-making. To construct a decision aid that strengthens women's abilities to make decisions during sick leave, knowledge is needed about factors that increase health literacy. The aim of this study was for that reason to explore and describe women's experiences of factors that contribute to their ability to make informed decisions about the process of rehabilitation and return to work. PARTICIPANTS: Nineteen women with a period of sick leave during the previous 12 months participated. METHODS: A qualitative design with a focus group methodology was used. The qualitative data analysis was based on five focus group discussions. RESULTS: A number of factors emerged that were experienced as supporting. They were distributed over five qualitative categories. Trusting in, valuing and using one's own resources, taking the initiative and obtaining information were described as crucial to making well-founded decisions. Being coached by a professional or being supported by significant others were other factors that contributed to decision-making. The women also experienced that a trustful, transparent, continuous relationship with the professionals involved in the rehabilitation process contributed to well-founded decisions. CONCLUSIONS: The factors experienced as contributing to sick-listed women's ability to make informed decisions were both personal and environmental. Some have a connection with theories that conceptualize intentional relationships and self-efficacy. The factors may be useful as an initial source for the development of a decision aid for women.
OBJECTIVE: Functional, interactive and critical skills to use and act on health information, i.e. health literacy, are central preconditions for decision-making. To construct a decision aid that strengthens women's abilities to make decisions during sick leave, knowledge is needed about factors that increase health literacy. The aim of this study was for that reason to explore and describe women's experiences of factors that contribute to their ability to make informed decisions about the process of rehabilitation and return to work. PARTICIPANTS: Nineteen women with a period of sick leave during the previous 12 months participated. METHODS: A qualitative design with a focus group methodology was used. The qualitative data analysis was based on five focus group discussions. RESULTS: A number of factors emerged that were experienced as supporting. They were distributed over five qualitative categories. Trusting in, valuing and using one's own resources, taking the initiative and obtaining information were described as crucial to making well-founded decisions. Being coached by a professional or being supported by significant others were other factors that contributed to decision-making. The women also experienced that a trustful, transparent, continuous relationship with the professionals involved in the rehabilitation process contributed to well-founded decisions. CONCLUSIONS: The factors experienced as contributing to sick-listed women's ability to make informed decisions were both personal and environmental. Some have a connection with theories that conceptualize intentional relationships and self-efficacy. The factors may be useful as an initial source for the development of a decision aid for women.
Authors: Christina Andersson; Annika Jakobsson; Gunilla Priebe; Mikael Elf; Robin Fornazar; Gunnel Hensing Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2022-06-14 Impact factor: 4.135
Authors: Sam S S Lau; Eric N Y Shum; Jackie O T Man; Ethan T H Cheung; Padmore Adusei Amoah; Angela Y M Leung; Kevin Dadaczynski; Orkan Okan Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-10-06 Impact factor: 4.614